One week old

Blake has made it through his first week of life on the outside! :) He is a wonderful baby, with a sweet temperament and the most precious little face. He is eating and sleeping good, and he never complains about all of the kisses he receives from his mommy and big sister. Our first week as a family of four was baptism by fire. Pete, Taylor and I, all had colds which left two of us very tired and one of us very whiny. Our sweet little Tay was dealing with not feeling well, cutting some new teeth, and having to share her mom and dad with a new person. I was hoping that since I was such an emotional basket case in the week following Taylor's birth, that I had gotten that out of my system and was not going to have the uncontrollable crying with Blake... unfortunately, not the case. For about the first four days home, I would cry every time I looked at Taylor because I kept feeling like she was sad, and to make matters worse I couldn't pick her up, which I felt was confusing her even more. Thankfully, we have both leveled out. The crying has stopped, I can pick Taylor up now, and Taylor loves her new baby brother.

Blake's first week was a little traumatic in that he had to get circumcised on the Tuesday after he was born (due to Shah being out of town), and last night his umbilical cord got snagged on my shirt and pulled out prematurely. Thankfully, he did not bleed and all appears to be alright, however, I do have a call into the pediatrician to make sure I have not ruined him for life(she said he should be just fine). Blake seems to have calm and easygoing personality and has taken everything in stride.

On top of all the baby craziness, Pete has been trying to finish up the new shower and has been working long hours trying to get it tiled, grouted and sealed. He finished the tile this morning, will grout tomorrow and then seal it a couple of days after that. We are both so excited to have such a beautiful new shower and just as excited that the project is almost over.

Although this week has been draining at times, it has been a wonderful, special seven days. Today we took our first family outing and went down to our farmer's market and then walked around the park. When I looked over at my handsome, happy husband and then to the backseat with my two healthy, beautiful children I cannot help but smile and say a prayer of the deepest thanksgiving. Last night Pete and I were reflecting on God's goodness and his incredible love for our family. When I look at all that God has, and continues to bless us with, I know that a bad day and attitude have no place in my life, ever!

All of the pictures of Blake are of him sleeping since that is pretty much all he is doing.

While Blake and I were at the doctor's, Pete said he gave Taylor a cookie, she walked outside, around the side of the house and sat down with her back against the wall. I guess the girl just needed a little alone time to reflect on all that was going on in her life.

Tay sleeping after a long day of playing

Thank the Good Lord for Baby Einstein and a chance to cuddle with my sweet girl and shut my eyes!

Blake's first Doctor's visit, he passed with flying colors.

Relaxing outside under the trees, his favorite place to be.

The beautiful completed tile job and one very tired husband.

Working so hard; how does he know how to do EVERYTHING!

This is where Blake slept off his circumcision for most of the day on Tuesday.

Sweet face!

He is so beautiful

This little girl is a ham.

Playing outside with the hose.

Every time Blake cries Taylor says "Uh Oh" and runs over to check on him. She also LOVES to give him kisses. One night she was watching Baby Einstein and every 10 seconds or so she would lean over and kiss Blake. She did this probably 8 times before she decided to walk away. As she was walking around the couch she stopped to come back and give him one last kiss.

Blake has HUGE feet and super long toes. When they did his foot prints in the hospital, his feet were coming out of the designated boxes. The nurses were all talking about what big feet signified as they were cleaning him up.

I read a quote the other day that said, "Don't marry a man unless you would want a son exactly like him". I can't think of anything I would like more than for my sweet little boy to grow up to be just like his amazing daddy.

This little girl has my heart!

And so does this little man.

Our first trip out as a family

We figured this was a good landmark for this picture with Edison, Ford and Firestone in the background.
My two sweet babies in the backseat.

Blake Woody Fox

Our little man joined our family Thursday, February 9th, 2012 at 10:22 am. He is perfect and precious in every way and looks just like a little boy. In our opinion, Blake looks nothing like his big sister except they share a very unique dimple in their chin; although, Blake's is a little less dimply than Taylor's.
On Wednesday, I went in for my 39 week check up and Dr. Shah informed me that I was 4 cm and 80% effaced. Because he was going to be going out of town the next afternoon, he gave me the option of going to the hospital that night to have my water broken, which would in turn, start my labor. When I got home, Pete and I discussed the positives and negatives of having Dr. Shah deliver the baby or waiting to see when the baby would come on his own. We finally decided that we would indeed, prefer Dr. Shah to be the one who delivered the baby. We called our parents and told them that we would either be going to the hospital that night, or in the morning. Don and Delores drove over that night, and we decided to go in the morning so that we could get a good nights sleep before delivering a baby and all that goes with it. It was such a blessing to have Don and Delores with Tay, in our home, knowing that she was being loved and well taken care of, put our minds at ease and allowed us to concentrate on the new baby. Pete and I got to Health Park around 5:45 am, Dr. Shah broke my water at 6:45 and contractions started immediately. By 10:15 I was ready to start pushing, and at 10:22, Blake had arrived! Some friends watched Taylor so that Don and Delores could come to the hospital and my parents arrived about a half hour after Blake was born.
We cannot believe how the Lord continues to bless us day after day. When I consider the miracle of pregnancy, labor, deliver and then the life of a perfect baby, it brings me to my knees in overwhelming Thankfulness. God's love is amazing!!

Waiting to be taken up to the labor and delivery room

Pete anxiously waiting the birth of his new son
Meeting Blake

7 lbs. 9 oz

Dr. Shah

Don an d Delores with their 4th grandson

Pep with her 1st grandson, my dad was there too, but he was busy taking pictures

Our handsome Blake

Taylor giving her new brother a kiss

Saying "Hi" to Blake

First ride

The Lizard!!

The other day Pete caught Tay a lizard. When he asked her if she wanted it she said "yeah". The lizard jumped on Taylor's shirt and sat there. Tay started saying "nah, nah, nah" until Pete took the lizard off and put it on her chair. Taylor did not get up, but she did slide as far over in her seat as she could to observe.

Outside

This little girl LOVES to play outside!